Later than Expected and Right on (God's) Time

An Interview with Bishop-Elect Lawrence

I had the privilege of catching up with Mark Lawrence the evening of November 7. He reflects here on the past year and the journey ahead.

Jubilate Deo: Mark, we rejoice with you and know you're rejoicing with us. When you first heard that the consents had come through, what was your reaction?

Mark Lawrence: As you know, I have had my luggage on that eastbound train to Charleston for some time now...even as I've been committed to doing the work of ministry, week by week, here at St. Paul's, flying occasionally for ministry forays into South Carolina or for two or three congregational retreats at Kanuga, not to mention national or international gatherings, all connected with this role as bishop-elect. (I've accumulated a lot of frequent flier miles while I've been waiting for that departing train.)

Speaking metaphorically, parishioners and friends gathered at the station platform last December for what we thought would be our farewell. Trains, as you know, don't always run on time. But I got the news Sunday afternoon on October 28th that we can now depart. Though a year later than expected, an inner sense assures me that according to God's schedule we're running right on time. So when the phone call came, I thought, "Good, we can get on with the life and work that lies before us." It is one thing to wait for a slow train coming 'round the bend; it's quite another when it hasn't even departed.

The fact is we have all been in this peculiar circumstance for some time now, like a couple engaged after a quick romance then abruptly separated by forces quite beyond them (be it a war, a natural disaster, or a strike in the transportation industry) before the wedding could be arranged. Separated by time and distance, we continued to try to keep in touch and get to know one another. All at once there's an armistice. Plans can be made, details sorted through, arrangements talked about. It is all a great relief to me and a little scary. Still, Allison and I are eager to join you in the Lowcountry. I have a lot of people to thank there, including your Standing Committee. So we'll be packed and Charleston bound come the first week or two of January-leavin' on that eastbound train.

Jubilate Deo: How has Allison been faring through the process?

Mark Lawrence: She's been a real trooper through it all. We were having breakfast recently with some friends we hadn't seen in a few months. They said, "Allison you look terrific." She said, "I guess war agrees with me."

Jubilate Deo: And now we move forward. What's the timeline between now and the consecration, January 26th? Do you have your plane reservations yet?

Mark Lawrence: On November 17th-18th our Christian Spirituality Committee at St. Paul's Parish will host The Rt. Rev. C. Fitzsimmons Allison. You may have heard of him. He's a renowned preacher and scholar and XII Bishop of South Carolina. We're excited about that.

Several years ago the vestry here at St. Paul's, approved giving me a three-month sabbatical, but given all the controversies in the national Church I postponed it. Now, given what awaits me in the future, it seems prudent to take a month of it before leaving. Therefore, after the Thanksgiving Eve worship on the 21st, Allison and I will leave for a brief-sabbatical in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We'll return to Bakersfield in December for Sunday services on the 23rd and for the Christmas Eucharists, finishing as rector through the end of the year. After the first of the year, the movers come for the boxes and furniture. We'll finish packing our memories and with grateful hearts head out. In the words of Dag Hammarskjold, "For all that has been, Thank you; for all that shall be, Yes."

Jubilate Deo: You'll be stepping into a new role in a new state, with a whole new cast of characters (We really are characters!) Are you nervous? Excited?

Mark Lawrence: I'm listening to a book on tape about Alan Greenspan, retired Chairman of the Federal Reserve. He was asked shortly after coming to the position if he was nervous. He replied, "If I'm not nervous, I shouldn't be here." I think that puts it pretty succinctly. Allison and I know that in ourselves we are not sufficient for what awaits us. It is too far beyond us to even think of pretending that we are. We can only cast ourselves on the grace of God. I mean that. I've told people for years, "God doesn't call those who are equipped, he equips those whom he calls." Now I have to trust at a new level that that is true. The night before the first election on September 16, 2006, I had a dream in which words were spoken that rang out as if for me. The speaker said, "I had a monumental task pulling me forward when I was too frightened to go on my own." Actually when I re-read those words the other day in my journal I thought, "only a fool would not be"-frightened that is. Yet, as odd as it may sound, a rightful fear can be strangely comforting.

It is after all an historic and fair country, a warm and godly people, and, to be sure, a monumental task that awaits us. For instance, if someone had asked me several years ago to name a handful of bishops in The Episcopal Church that I most respected, Bishop Ed Salmon and Bishop Fitzsimmons Allison would have certainly been at the top of the list. Now, by the grace of God, I'm called to follow in their footsteps. It is staggering to me at times.

Jubilate Deo: What are you most looking forward to?

Mark Lawrence: Well, the first thing to remember is that this is one of the few dioceses in The Episcopal Church where things are actually working well. I want to go to school on Bishop Salmon as much as I can before he leaves for St. Louis. A part of that is learning what makes this Diocese of South Carolina work, and seeing what God is doing among the parishes-which of course is where the real action of the Kingdom and the diocese is being lived out. And of course I'm looking forward to preaching the gospel.

Jubilate Deo: Do you have a vision for how to proceed?

Mark Lawrence: Stay close to God, meet often with the clergy, and love the people-then we'll talk about vision.

Jubilate Deo: How can we pray for you? And for Allison?

Mark Lawrence: Whatever and however you've all been doing it, keep it up. It's working!

END